Room 301 [Zarry]

fourteen karat gold

Another month passes by. The days come and go. I work on finalizing some tracks and follow Kit's advice, somehow convincing the recording studio that I know what is best for my music. I connect with the album again, feel passionate about every line I sing. Kit and I made our relationship official, shared a steamy kiss for the cameras in Malibu and were caught together at a disco bar, making out in the dark corner. I have no complaints other than running off little steam.

It's partially my fault for spending nights perfecting my craft and scribbling down lyrics. I wake up Kit in the middle of the night, hold her until she falls back asleep. I can't believe it's been three months. I've spent nearly every day with her. I proudly introduce her to friends as the love of my life. Her shyness around me has nearly faded. It's still there in public but she's completely open with me in private. We share our vulnerabilities, confess our deepest secrets. I'm convinced there isn't a single detail she doesn't know about me. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Tonight is special, I line the floor with rose petals, scatter them over the bed. There are a bunch of balloons in the corner of a room, several boxes of chocolate and bubbly, sparkling champagne. I string up lights around the pool, even bought some floating candles and a large (ridiculously expensive) heart shaped pool float.

There's a knock on the door and I can't contain my excitement. I'm about to burst at the seams but open it only to see Lana grinning at me. "Hey Harry. You look impeccable, truly dashing."

"Thanks," I chuckle. "I've been so good about not drinking but I might have a few glasses tonight."

"As you should," she laughs. "It's a very special occasion. After we got our nails painted we got facials and she was so confused. She's just the cutest. Bless her heart, she asked if I thought you had forgotten because you've been recording all day. Also I shouldn't spoil this but she picked out some very sexy lingerie to try out. You might want to get prepped."

"Shut up," I laugh, blushing hard. "I don't want to mess this up, everything has to be perfect."

"That's why I came delivering cake. Look how gorgeous." She opens the box, revealing a beautiful layered cake with flowers made of icing and intricate little butterflies.

"Oh wow Lana, it looks amazing. Thank you so so much." I wrap her up in a hug, grateful that we've grown much closer lately. Kit has brought us together more, binds our friendship. Lana is so supportive, takes credit for setting us up but Kit just so happened to be in Malibu that day. I'll let her have that small victory anyway.

"301 has been vacant since you left. He's turned so aggressive," she shudders. "No one wants to stay there."

"That's all behind me now," I shrug it off. "It's honestly all so crazy, him thinking I could help make his dreams come true. I do feel bad for him but that's not why I'm here. I'm chasing my own dreams."

"Yeah it's all quite strange how attached he is. I want you to be careful. He terrifies me. I hear furniture moving around and scraping the floor, glass shattering, depressing music through the walls. There's really something not right about the situation. Maybe he's stuck in some sort of strange purgatory. Trust me, I wouldn't want to be in that room for years all alone with no escape. It can drive you to insanity. I was relieved when you moved to be quite honest...I just wish I would have warned you about him sooner. I didn't know, he's never been violent."

"No, it's definitely my fault for letting him get inside my brain." I try to shake away the thought.

"Something must have washed over him recently but I don't want to dawn on it. Did you get her any gifts?"

The smile on my face is so wide. I can't remember the last time I was this happy. Showing my appreciation for her makes me soft.

"Right now she's getting her hair styled. I should leave pretty soon, she won't be much longer. I love you," she kisses my cheek. "Have fun and use protection."

I'm left shaking my head, laughing softly as she leaves. I go out the sliding door and wait, watch from outside as she opens the door. She doesn't notice me outside the window but she drops her purse, eyes wide and sparkling.

She picks up the card on the bedside table and I slide open the door, startling her. "Did you think I would forget your birthday?"

"Harry," tears streak down her cheeks. "I can't believe you did all of this for me. I love you so much." Instinctively, I pull her into my arms, soothingly run my hand down her back.

"You deserve this and more butterfly. I didn't know you were getting your hair done, I thought we could go for a swim and eat some cake out by the pool but I don't want you to ruin in."

"No," she chirps. "That sounds really relaxing. It doesn't matter what my hair looks like. We can take a shower."

I watch her as she changes into that tiny white bikini, mouth all over her before we even make our way outside. "So I didn't cook a romantic dinner. I'm not much of a cook but we can order it."

Laughter spills from my lips as she starts slicing a piece of cake, already licking the icing off her fingers. "You're supposed to save dessert for last," she giggles.

"Well I am," I tease, bringing her in close to kiss her. Her tongue explores my mouth, tastes like sweet buttercream and rich chocolate.

We splash around, laughing and telling stories like our love is brand new. I never get tired of spending time with her. She closes her eyes, tries to float on her back but I hoist her up onto her new floatie, pour her a glass of champagne.

"You're spoiling me," she smiles between sips. "But I'm loving every second."

"I just want to cherish you tonight. This is all about you."

Shower shenanigans and lots of bubbles leads to more fizzy champagne and getting tangled in the sheets. We're a mess of limbs, her hair is in my face and I laugh happily, trying to move it out of my eyes.

Her naked body is so beautiful, I could worship her. I'll kiss every inch of skin, explore every dip and curve with my mouth, trace my fingers over every flaw until she accepts them.

"So I got you something special," I whisper, lips finding the shell of her ear. "Put your hair up babe."

She gathers her hair into a bun and I lean over to retrieve the jewelry box from the beside table, take it out and carefully clasp it around her neck. It sits beautifully against her skin, dazzling under the dim candlelight. "Harry," she gasps, clutching onto it. "It's so beautiful."

"It's fourteen karat," I bite back a smile. "Butterflies remind me of you so much, I had to get it. It looks so stunning on you."

"I don't know what to say," she murmurs. "You didn't have to plan all of this. You've been away so much lately but there was no need to prove your love. I want to be supportive and to encourage you but it's hard when you leave all day and come back late. I'm beyond proud of you Harry, for changing your music back and sobering up...you'd walk through fire for me."

"I love you so much," I feather kisses all over her face. "I missed you too my butterfly. My love," my voice drops to a whisper, I caress her cheek. "Let's make babies."

"Harry," she giggles, curling up her toes at the end of the bed. "You're so silly."

"Am not, come on," I say eagerly. "No time to waste, the night is still young, we're still young...I have plenty of good sperm."